# defame

> English word · Verb · IPA /dɪˈfeɪm/ · frequency rank #51,058

## Definitions
1. To disgrace; to bring into disrepute.
2. To charge; to accuse (someone) of an offence.
3. To harm or diminish the reputation of; to disparage.

## Etymology
From Middle English defamen, from Anglo-Norman defamer (verb), defame (noun), and its source, Latin diffāmō, from fāma (“fame; rumour; reputation”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/defame